Tag Archives: 2024

video game reviews

Whispers of the Eyeless: An Interesting Take on Cult Management

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I was sent the Whispers of the Eyeless demo to cover for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion on the game. I understand the game is still in development, and will try to be a bit more lenient with my impressions.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyboard for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Whispers of the Eyeless?

Whispers of the Eyeless is a unique CRPG with stylized dungeon crawling and an interesting resource management mechanic. The game will go on Steam Early Access either Q4 2024 or sometime Q1 2025. A demo is planned for February. Make sure you add it to your wishlist.

You are a prophet of the New Age of Whispers. People have forgotten the old gods, some believe them dead, but they are alive and in need of a new flock. Infiltrate the city and spread the gospel of whisper as you recruit new members to your sect, upgrade your temple, and delve into the dungeon. Will your influence be strong enough to take hold of new believers? Will you bring forth a new age?

Gameplay

Whispers of the Eyless has three gameplay loops: dungeon crawling, exploration, and resource management.

Dungeon crawling is how players earn money and influence. Players equip themselves with blessings they receive from the old gods and explore a dungeon. This part of the game feels like a choose-your-own-adventure point-and-click game with a bit of turn-based combat sprinkled in between. Players can go as deep into the dungeon as they want, but the difficulty increases with each level. The deeper a player goes, the better the rewards. Dying on the run will cause a player to lose favor, so make sure you delve carefully.

Combat is a simple turn-based system. Players choose their attacks and blessings (buffs) and try to defeat their enemies. There is an auto-battle function early on that I recommend using for early grinding. I would also speed up the animation after the first fight. While I love the style and art of this game, the grind feels too slow at normal speed. There is a strategy involved when fighting harder monsters, but it is nice to have the option to passively grind levels before then.

Exploration is a point-and-click event that happens in between delves. During these events, players can enter combat, find treasure, or have the opportunity to recruit members that grant the players valuable passive skills. Players are offered choices during these events that affect the outcome of the story, so make sure you choose carefully.

I particularly enjoyed the resource management aspect of the game. In between runs, players will have time to perform valuable upkeep for their cult. They can build new structures, upgrade existing ones, send cultists to perform jobs, and attempt to recruit new members. The choices made in the resource management stage affect how efficiently a player can maintain and grow their influence over the city. Players start with a dirty old cave with only access to the dregs of society, but they will slowly spread into the more affluent parts of the city until they gain complete control of the city.

Impressions

There are parts of this demo that feel slow and unfinished, but the overall experience has me excited for the full game. The art is fantastic, the story has me hooked, and the mechanics are solid. The art style make exploration fun, and I am obsessed with managing my cult. The amount of decisions I had to make felt a bit overwhelming at times but in the best possible way. It was cool to see my actions and decisions affecting the growth of my influence, but running a cult isn’t easy.

The combat is the only part of the game I am unsure about. The dungeon crawling is fine, but combat feels slow, even with the animation sped up. There is strategy involved, but most of the time I felt like passive farming. Thank god for the auto-battle feature. The demo only features an early stage of the game, and I am holding out hope that combat will get more fun as the game gets more difficult.

From what I’ve seen from the demo, I am ready to see more. I’ll be working on getting the full version for review, so make sure you stay tuned for that. Until then, make sure Whispers of the Eyeless is on your wishlist. Don’t forget to try the demo in February during Steam Next Fest!

Other TCGs

Kryptik TCG Ressurected After Successful Ambassador Program

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After a bit of a rocky start, the Kryptik community rallied and has given their beloved game the second chance it deserves. If you’re out of the loop, there were plans to move Kryptik away from the TCG model and turn it into an LCG. The community spoke up, and after a leadership change, a name change, and a new printer, there were plans to revitalize the Kryptik TCG.

The first of these efforts has been an Ambassador Program to raise money for the next Kickstarter campaign. The campaign allows players to support the game they love and give by buying exclusive collector products and other interesting rewards. Full details below:

The $50,000 goal was met, and the program proved successful. This means that Ambassador Program boxes will be printed, and there will be money for the Kickstarter. Fans of the hobby are elated. It is not too late to support the game. The Ambassador Program has been extended, so make sure you backing before then.

It makes me happy to see the game continue to thrive, and I wish them the best. If you want to stay up to date on all the news, or play in official weekly online events, make sure you join the Kryptik Discord.

If you need sleeves or unique cases to keep your Kryptik cards safe, get them over at Gem Accessories. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.

video game reviews

NanoApostle is the Best Boss Rush Game You Haven’t Played Yet

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I was sent a free copy of NanoApostle to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyboard for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is NanoApostle?

NanoApostle is an adorable 2D sprite boss rush game out now on Steam and Switch.

Deep in a secret underground lab, Anita is born from a series of experiments. Implanted with an advanced weapon system and a sentient nanomechanical entity known as the Apostle, she must fight against a series of powerful bioweapons. Anita needs to find a way out of her prison or risk becoming a weapon herself. Is she strong enough, or will she end up another failed experiment?

Gameplay

NanoApostle is split into two modes. The first is a challenge mode where players must complete certain tasks to earn skill points and upgrade modules. Upgrade modules give Anita passive upgrades to her move set. Players find modules as drops for completing certain tasks and can unlock them as equipment by spending skill points. Each level offers three challenges that scale in difficulty. Players only need to complete the level once for the pass, but completing the higher difficulties grants more skill points to spend. This can be a long grind, but a rewarding one for those who can master the game’s mechanics.

The second mode is the boss rush. Players can queue up for the boss fight at any time. Boss fights are unique, and creative, and challenge a player’s knowledge of the mechanics. Complete mastery of the game’s mechanics, or at least an advanced understanding, is almost a prerequisite. Do not be fooled by the NanoApostle’s cute aesthetic, this game is meant to be hard but rewarding if you stick with it.

Combat is simple. Players have access to a normal, heavy, and ranged attack. It also has a pery and dodge mechanic that keeps things fast and engaging. All monsters and bosses telegraph their attacks clearly, the trick to this game is understanding the timing and reacting efficiently. Players who can parry all attacks, set off proper combos, and utilize the heal mechanic effectively will have a good time. Getting to that point, however, is going to take practice. A lot more than $20 worth.

Review

I love NanoApostle, and recommend it to anyone looking for a new game. This game has an adorable aesthetic that hooked me, and a gameplay loop that made it impossible to put down. This game is hard, and I enjoyed the challenge. I liked how every time I reloaded a level, I got a little farther and got a little better. I’ve come to terms that I’ll never be a pro at this game, but I’ll still be playing it regardless.

The story is a little predictable, but it doesn’t matter because it got my attention. The story is what kept me trying each level again because I needed to know what happened next.

The only complaint I have for this game is that it can get a little repetitive if you aren’t good at it. You’ll have to grind through a lot of the same monsters and bosses until you master the mechanics enough to move forward. It didn’t feel like much of a grind because I could see the progress I was making with each consecutive run. I assume this will be less of an issue for better gamers.

If you’re in the market for a fun, rewarding, and challenging game, you need to get your hands on NanoApostle. This will be the best boss rush game you’ll play all year, and it will possibly end up being a household favorite. It did for me.

You can pick up NanoApostle on Steam and Switch for $19.99.

Grand Archive TCG

Grand Archive: All Spoilers from Mortal Ambition Developer Stream

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The Mortal Ambition stream was extremely juicy, and I am so excited for this set. It has fantastic flavor, beautiful art, and some new mechanics. If you missed the stream, I’ve collected all the spoilers in one convenient spot. Make sure you check out the full video for lore and the full details. Mortal Ambitions releases on October 11th, so make sure you have your set preorder. I know I have mine ready at my LGS. You can pick up Mortal Ambition on TCG Player if that isn’t an option, but I’d wait till after launch unless you don’t mind paying scalper prices.

If you’re looking for unique sleeves or deck boxes to keep your cards safe, get them over at Gem Accessories. Use discount code churapereviews10 at checkout for 10% off your order.

I’ll leave a table of contents so you can skip to whatever is relevant to you

New Cards

Story Art Cards

Ignite Fate
Ignite Fate
Action – Mage Spell
Deal 2 Damage to Each Champion
Floating Memory
Savage Swing
Savage Swing
Attack – Warrior Polearm
(Class Bonus) Floating Memory
2 Cost – 2 Attack
Cure the Flesh
Cure the Flesh
Action – Cleric Skill (Fast)
Remove all temporary damage from target ally
Draw a card into your memory
Heated Vengeance
Heated Vengeance
Attack – Warrior Polearm
As long as your champion has taken damage this turn, Heated Vengeance gets +3 attack
(Class Bonus) On Attack: You may have Heated Vengeance deal 3 damage to your champion

Reprints!

In an effort to make Mortal Ambition a better onboarding product, we are getting some valuable reprints in this set with brand new art.

Making Unique Allies Great Again

Equestrian

Empower!

Kongming

Kongming will feature the new shifting current mechanic where cards gain a boon depending on the direction the wind is shifting. This looks like a very fun mechanic, but one that will potentially be difficult to master. I need it!

Shifting Current Boons

Some boons will be simple and strait forward

Advanced Current Booms

Some boons require the current to shift between certain diractions

Direction Matters

Terra!

Jin

Jin is a little more straight forward and a lot more beginner friendly. Jin will be introducing a new advanced class, and it is a good one!

Pole Arms

New Element: Exia

Main Deck

Material Deck

Erupting Rhapsody Ban Announcement

Erupting Rhapsody will be banned starting AMB release because it will just break the new enhance mechanics.

Beautiful Collector Rares

Ascent Events

Ascent Santa Clara has been announced for people in North Call itching for those sweet promos. There will also be a couple of exclusive shirts only available at Ascent Singapore. Make sure you get your tickets.

Mortal Ambition Launch Kit

Mortal Ambition Regional Rewards

Entry to any regionals for the Mortal Ambition season gets you a sweet binder, and top participants get some beautiful playmats

Store Champ Rewards

Revelfest Announcement!

Revelfest will take place October 4th to the 11th. This is an event where players earn double veterancy on Omnidex and enter for a chance to win a beautiful Tariff Ring art card. You only need to play once during this period. Playing multiple times won’t increase your chances.

Altered TCG

Alterd TCG’s First Set, Beyond the Gates, is Officially in Stores!

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Six months after a successful Kickstarter Campaign, Altered TCG is officially in stores and in the mail for anticipating fans. If you want to experience the game that pulled over $2 million in funding, check with your LGS for products and events. There is also an active Discord for players to stay updated on all the news, join an extremely welcoming community, and even find a game or two.

What is Altered TCG?

Altered TCG is a unique trading card game with interesting mechanics and no combat. Set off an adventure in a race against your friend. With help from members of your faction, be the first to travel across the beautiful and wonderous Asgartha peninsula. What secrets will you uncover? What memories will you make?

How to play

Altered TCG is one of the easier trading cards to learn, but also one that will take some time to master. Its mechanics are simple, yet engaging, making it the ideal card game for players looking for a good place to start in the space. The gameplay does offer enough engaging interactions to satisfy most veterans from more competitive games. If you want to learn how to play Altered, there is an official tutorial on Board Game Arena. Board Game Arena is also a great place to play the game without having to buy cards or print out your own. Maindeck has a great tutorial that you should check out as well. 

Quick start guide

Having the rules handy is also a good idea. If you’re only trying out the game, I recommend starting with the quickstart guide. Players get a solid sense of the gameplay loop without being overwhelmed. It is always good to start small with any TCG and slowly dive into the more complex mechanics, especially if you lack the experience. I’ll leave a copy of the quickstart guide, but you can pick up the guide and a more comprehensive version of the rulebook on the official website.

2024_Altered_TCG_Quick_Rules_2.0_ENDownload

Impressions

I printed out some of the decks from the official print-n-play files available on the site when Altered TCG was first announced, and loved the experience. I think the gameplay is creative, the mechanics are good, and the art is beautiful. Its gameplay loop is sure to attract the fans of board games, and its simple mechanics make it the perfect beginner TCG. With the tremendous support it received during its Kickstarter campaign, I am convinced that there will be enough of a scene to keep it alive through a few more sets. Make sure you check with your LGS for a scene or product. 

1 / 6

The only issue I can see Altered having is the QR codes. Altered TCG boasts about its “phygital” ecosystem where players can scan and keep track of their collection on the official app for both Android and IOS devices. The game will also release one-of-a-kind alters of existing cards each set for a bit of added FOMO. This online database is intended to be used to facilitate trading and the buying of singles, but we will have to wait for its execution to determine its effectiveness. At the moment, this feature gives off NFT vibes which is going to rub some folks the wrong way. The QR also creates an awkward aesthetic that I am not sure I like. I do like the idea of being able to easily keep track of my collection, and the idea of a player-driven market, but the one-of-a-kind cards might end up creating some unnecessary fomo. Here’s hoping the scalpers don’t make it impossible to buy products as they have done with other collectibles. 

Regardless of how you feel about the “phygital” aspect of the game, the gameplay is fun and is worth at least trying once. If you don’t want to buy the product, there are official print-and-play files for all the starter decks and accessories. If you don’t have a printer, the Board Game Arena module provides a solid digital experience, and you can always find people to play with on the official Discord. When you do end up liking the game, make sure you pick up your Beyond The Gates product from your LGS. 

video game reviews

Core Keeper is Your New Favorite Sandbox Survival Game

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I was sent a free copy of Core Keeper to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyhboard for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Core Keeper?

Core Keeper is a 2D survival sandbox out now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. It is like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Terraria all in one.

Explore dark unforgiving caverns as you farm, mine, and build your means of survival. Fight against the mighty and mysterious creatures that roam its shadows, and the titans that lord over them. What secrets will your journey uncover? What tools will you invent? Gather your friends or brave it alone as you try to uncover the secrets behind the mysterious cores.

Gameplay

Core Keeper allows players to choose the type of experience they want from the game. Hardcore survivalists can play a mode where death is permanent, and resources are limited. Casuals can enjoy the caverns of Core Keeper at their own pace and without risks in creative mode. Those who want the best of both worlds can opt for the normal experience. I played Core Keeper on normal and thought it was perfect.

The game starts with players with only the clothes on their backs. Players mine resources to build the tools they need to advance through the caverns. Everything a player does from mining to walking levels the respective skill. Leveling skills unlock new recipes for more advanced tools. There are guides out there to help you with recipes and efficient play, but I always recommend you start a blind run and see how far you can get. You can always start over later.

The game does have a hunger mechanic, but it isn’t as oppressive as other games. Finding ingredients is a little tricky in the beginning, but it gets easier once you learn how to farm. Cooked food gives players buffs, and it’s a good idea to find a recipe that fits your playstyle. Recipes can be found through trial and error, but there are recipe books available online. I like the one on the official Wiki.

There is so much to do in Core Keeper, and it is somehow packaged in this simple and relaxing package. Mechanics are simple to learn, but the game will take some time to master.

Review

If you’re looking for a game that will eat up all your free time, go get Core Keeper. The art is cute, the gameplay is fun and addicting, and the soundtrack is amazing. There is so much to do in this game that it is almost impossible to get bored. Want to spend a day fishing? Grab a rod and get to clicking. Want to build your dream home? You better have your recipes ready and start digging. Core Keeper gives you the freedom to play the game the way you want.

There is a story and mystery that you can start unraveling as you uncover ancient tech or discover new tools. I liked the flavor that the mystery gives the game and gave me something to work towards, but I also liked that I could mess around. This is one of the games I’ll have to uninstall if I ever want to get work done because I am addicted.

If you’re looking for a new game to play, you need to try Core Keeper. The solo experience is fantastic, but I can see this game being a ton of fun with friends. This game is perfect for the folks who need a break from their current survival game, and the perfect place to start for players looking to get into the genre.

You can pick up Core Keeper on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Nintendo eShop for only $19.99.

video game reviews

CyberCorp is a Fantastic Futuristic Looter Shooter!

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I was sent a free copy of CyberCorp to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the Epomaker P75 Mechanical Keyhboard for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals.

What is Cybercorp?

CyberCorp is a top-down cyberpunk isometric looter shooter out now on Steam and coming soon to the Nintendo Switch.

As a proud member of the CyberCorp, it is your duty to clean up these crime-ridden streets. With the help of your standard issue Synth, a specialized combat robot you control from a hub, and the upgrades you pick up along the way, you will restore order to this city. Do you have what it takes to be the best CyberCorp operative this city has seen?

Gameplay

CyberCorp is essentially a cyberpunk Diablo. Players take control of advanced and upgradable synths. Players choose missions from a central hub. These missions are small dungeons that progress the story, but they are also farmable. Like most games in the genre, players can use the randomized loot they collect to upgrade their synths. CyberCorp uses a gear system similar to Destiny for its leveling.

Players have access to two ranged weapons, a melee weapon, and three swappable activatable skills. Players use their Synth to fight through mobs of enemies and tough creative bosses while trying to execute flawless combos and achieve high scores.

This game can be played solo or multiplayer, so if you friends, things are about to get crazy.

Review

I have been fighting the Diablo itch for so long because I don’t have time to grind those season rewards. This game came as the truest blessing imaginable. I wasn’t ready for how good of a looter shooter CyberCorp is, but I have come to terms, and it wasn’t easy to put down.

The game has great flavor, with a solid story to keep players motivated. I love the idea of CyberCorp, but the art feels a little simple. Some of the maps and enemies are hard to see, but the game is in early access, and improvements can be on the way. This isn’t really an issue because the game looks good enough and the gameplay is solid.

The game plays great, aside from a few noticeable instances of roughness. The game is still in early access after all. That said, the performance and concept are good enough that I am willing to look past the roughness and enjoy myself.

CyberCorp is a fantastic addition to any collection. It has a solid story, a great soundtrack, and an incredibly fun gameplay loop. If you’re looking for a new game, or something to play with your friends, this should be on top of your list. There is a bit of a grind, but it isn’t going to matter.

You can pick up your copy of CyberCorp on Steam for $14.99 or wait till January 30, 2025 for it to go live on the Nintendo eShop.

Tech Reviews

The Epomaker P75 is a Fantastic Mechanical Keyboard!

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Epomaker sent me their most popular keyboard, the P75 with the Wisteria Linear switches, for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. You can find the P75 and Epomaker’s other stylish keyboards on their official website.

What’s in the Box?

The P75 comes beautifully packed. Inside you’ll find:

  • The Epomaker P75 Keyboard
  • Braided USB-A to USB-C chord
  • The space bar, arrow keys, and escape button in white (for those who want that all-white aesthetic
  • Wireless dongle
  • 3 replacement switches
  • Key puller tool
  • Allen wrench

Features

The P75 is a 75% keyboard with wired, wireless, and Bluetooth support. It allows connectivity to several devices from laptops, phones, and even popular gaming consoles. Its south-facing 8-color RGB makes it easy to see the 16 preprogrammed profiles. Coupled with the easily swappable keys and keycaps, the P75 is a perfect fit for any setup. The P75’s 4000mAh gives users a solid wireless session, and the volume dial is a nice touch.

Most importantly, the keyboard comes in three switches for a completely customizable experience. The available switches:

  • Zebra Switch: Linear, 5-pin, Travel: 1.8/3.8mm, Force: 40/45gf   
  • Wisteria Linear Switch: Linear, 5-pin, Travel: 2.0/3.6mm, Force: 45/62gf    
  • Wisteria Tactile Switch: Tactile, 5-pin, Travel: 2.0/3.1mm, Force: 46/62gf

Sound Test

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/epomakersoundcheck.mp3

Review

The Epomaker P75 is a fantastic mechanical keyboard. I love the sleek design of its aluminum finish and the simple yet beautiful color scheme. The Wisteria Tactile Switches emit a beautiful creamy click that I find incredibly satisfying. Be mindful. It is a little loud, and the sound might annoy the people around you.

While the keyboard is easy to setup, I recommend keeping the manual. The keyboard comes preprogrammed with various useful commands for controlling RBG, media, check the battery, and open certain programs. The commands are easy to memorize, especially if you only care about the ones you use most often.

I used to only ever use wired connections, but I am converted. I like the lack of clutter and how easy it is to switch between devices. I have the devices connected to my gaming pc and work laptop, and switching between them is as easy as flipping the switch. The switch is easy to reach and responsive without it being too easily flipped.

I used the keyboard for both work and gaming and was impressed by the battery life. With the RGB turned up, I get a solid eight hours of steady heavy use. I can get a longer session with the RGB turned off, but it looks so pretty that, I didn’t want to test it.

The keys feel very good to the touch, and make typing a delight. Gaming with the P75 is a solid experience. The keys are responsive enough for any style of gaming, and they are soft enough that they don’t require hard presses. I am glad this keyboard doesn’t destroy my hands after an intense gaming session.

I get pretty bad repetitive stress disorder, and the wrong keyboard destroys my hands. I typically use a special keyboard to avoid a painful flair-up, so there was some anxiety when I switched to the P75. While it is by no means a true replacement for my original ergonomic setup, I am having trouble finding a reason to switch back. There is still some faint pain that comes after prolonged use, but it isn’t anything unbearable. I’ve had keyboards that leave my hands useless, but P75 is comfortable. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to get one of their split options for comparison, but I think this will remain my daily driver until my hands say otherwise.

The Epomaker P75 is a fantastic mechanical keyboard for anyone looking. Its size, color scheme, and wireless capabilities make it the perfect candidate for any minimalistic setup. If you’re looking for a quality yet budget mechanical keyboard, I can’t recommend this enough.

You can pick up your Epomaker P75 for $99.99 on the official website.

video game reviews

You Need to Be Playing Shogun Showdown

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I was sent a free copy of Shogun Showdown to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming/streaming setup, check out my reviews for Fifine H9 Gaming Headset, the AM8 Streaming Microphone, and the SC3 Gaming Mixer for high-quality, budget-friendly peripherals. If you enjoy my content and want to help me with my hosting fees, consider buying me coffee or donating to my Patreon.

What is Shogun Showdown?

Shogun Showdown is an amazing roguelike deckbuilder out now on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and Itch.io.

A warrior’s journey is full of parallel, but legend has it you have what it takes. Grab your weapons, hone your skills, and kill anyone that gets in your way. Do you have what it takes to defeat the Shogun?

Gameplay

A warrior’s journey is full of parallel, but legend has it you have what it takes. Grab your weapons, hone your skills, and kill anyone that gets in your way. Do you have what it takes to defeat the Shogun?

Players start their journey with basic weapons and abilities. As they kill enemies and earn experience, they can purchase more powerful cards. I am sure there is an efficient build for speedrunning, but the game gives players the freedom to build their character to fit their playstyle.

Like most roguelikes, players will earn temporary skills and buffs at certain nodes of their journey. These rewards are random, but they felt fair for the most part. I never felt like I had a weak or useless ability. The levels are the same each, so there is a bit of repetition. The RNG helps break up some of the monthly, and players will eventually unlock new areas to explore. New content just dropped, and there is more planned for future releases.

The combat is the best part of this game. Players can perform one action per turn, and actions alternate between the player and enemies. During a turn, players can move one space, turn their character in the opposite direction, or perform an activity or set of abilities. Players can see the enemy’s actions between turns to plan accordingly. The key to this game is efficiently moving, dodging attacks, and setting up killing blows. A run ends when a player’s health drops to zero, and the goal is to get to the end of the run and beat the one true boss.

Review

I loved every minute of this game. Shogun Showdown is the most creative deckbuilder I’ve ever played. It has great flavor, beautiful art, a fantastic soundtrack, and fun gameplay. If you’re looking for a deckbuilding roguelike that breaks away from the norm, this is the game you need to get.

I love that it always feels like I am doing something. I am a huge fan of deck builders, but they all are starting to feel the same. The flavor may change, but it always feels like I am playing Slay the Spire. It is nice to play a game that changes up the strategy in a unique and fun way that looks good and plays flawlessly.

I recommend this game on any system because this is a game you need to try once. It is the perfect game for those who want something new without having it be a huge commitment, just be prepared to sink a respectable amount of time into it.

You can pick up Shogun Showdown on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC via Steam and Itch.io for $14.99.

Board Games and TCGs

Sherlock Solitaire is the Quick Card Game to Add to the Rotation

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I was sent a free copy of Sherlock Solitaire to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.

What’s Sherlock Solitaire?

Sherlock Solitaire is a 1-2-player card game where the player solves crimes as the famous literary detective. Can you navigate the clues and danger to solve the mystery at large?

What’s in the box?

  • 2 Reference Cards
  • 2 Detective Cards (Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson)
  • 2 Case Cards (“The Valley of Fear,” “The Final Problem”)
  • 1 Wound Card (minor wound on front, severe wound on back)
  • 32 Investigation cards (8 of each number 1-4)
  • 16 Threat Cards (4 of each letter A-D)

How to Play

  • 1. Take a Reference card.
  • 2. Take either Detective card. Place it text-side up.
  • 3. Choose a Case card or select at random. Place the card text-side up. For new players, we recommend “The Valley of Fear.”
  • 4. Shuffle all 32 Investigation cards (numbers 1-4) and all 16 Threat cards (letters A-D) together to create the deck. Place it face-down.
  • 5. Leave room for the discard pile. Cards will be placed on the discard pile face-up and may be reviewed at any time.
  • 6. Place the Wound card sideways, with the minor wound face-up.
  • 7. Leave plenty of room for the play areas, which include the Crime Scene on the left and the Office on the right.

The publisher also has a fantastic tutorial worth checking out.

Review

Sherlock Solitaire is a quick and easy game to pull out when you don’t want a huge commitment. The game is easy to learn but hard to master. The game comes in a neat compact package for easy storage unless you sleeve all your card games. While I do love the art and design of the box, I had to toss it because it didn’t fit the sleeve deck.

The cards themselves are of fantastic quality. The pictures are beautiful and printed on nice sturdy card stock. While I am sure it will survive a few hundred shuffles, I opted to sleeve mine because I am a crazy person who sleeves everything.

Games of Sherlock Solitaire are pretty quick, and a welcomed twist on the classic card game. You can pull this game out whenever you need a quick game away from a device, and it is engaging enough to keep you entertained through more than one play-through. I like that there are options for added difficulty for those who feel like they have mastered the game early on. I never did, but it was nice to have options.

This isn’t your normal game of solitaire. I think there are enough changes to this version to make it a fresh new and exciting experience for those who don’t like the classic game. The game also features fantastic flavor with some truly beautiful illustrations. Even if you’ve never read the books, you can appreciate the game’s look and gameplay. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and simple solo game, and there are rules to add a second player if needed.

You can pick up Sherlock Solitaire for only $9.95 on Amazon using my affiliate link. There is also an app version for Android and IOS.